Structural column and construction

ABSTRACT

An X-shaped column, having beads at the end of the column webs, has a uniform strength in all directions in a cross-sectional plane. The beads are dimensioned such that they do not interfere with the mating of the surface presented by intersecting surfaces of two adjacent column webs and one end of a beam shaped to conform to such surfaces.

United States Patent Red [4 June 27, 1972 [54] STRUCTURAL COLUMN AND 3,186,561 6/1965 Strassle ..52/738 x CONSTRUCTION 114,705 5/1871 Parker..... ....52/732 158,689 1/1875 Davids .52/732 2] Inventor: David H Box 6721. Houston, 34,036 2/1901 Sack ..13/6

Tex. 77005 Filed Feb 12 1969 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] A {N 798 70; 671,318 10/1963 Canada ..287/189.36

Primary Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-Arnold, White & Durkee, Torn Arnold, Donald C. CCll. ..287/189.36il l, R y Walter Kruger, Bin Durkee, Frank s. vaden I" and 58 Field of Search ..287/189.36; 52/732,283

57 ABSTRACT [56] References Cited 1 An X-shaped column, having beads at the end of the column UNITED STATES PATENTS webs, has a uniform strength in all directions in a cross-sectional plane. The beads are dimensioned such that they do not 6/1914 Kane interfere with the mating of the surface presented by intersectl32l'2l3 11/1919 Johnson H ing surfaces of two adjacent column webs and one end of a 1'; t beam shaped to conform to such surfaces.

, ea e... R22,905 8/1947 Scheyer ..287/189.36 5 Claims, 13 Drawing; Figures W m 66*" I I 1? l 1 P 73 I I vall 7/ PATENTEUJUH 27 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG] PRIOR ART DAV/D D.RED

INVENTUR BY fl/mdcf, Mme,

W a am A TTORNEYS P'ATENTEDJUW m2 3, 672. 711

SHEET2UF3 DAVID D. RED

INVENTOR A TTORNEYS P'A'TENTEflJum m2 3. 672.711

DAV/D D. RED

IN VEN TOR M, WNW

ATTORNEYS STRUCTURAL COLUMN AND CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND The present invention relates to structural members and methods for connecting the same.

In the construction of buildings, vertical columns are used as supporting members to bear the load of the building, the load usually being transferred to the columns through horizontal beams connected thereto.

The resultant forces transferred to a column from the horizontal beams include vertical forces caused by the weight of the load itself, and often, twisting forces which induce distorting torque in the column, and undesirable toppling" forces. For purposes of this disclosure, a toppling" force can be defined as a horizontal external force on a vertical column.

Conventional building construction techniques utilize steel I-members for vertical columns, as well as horizontal beams. It is well known that when I-members are used as supporting columns, they have a nonuniform resistance to toppling forces. Care must be taken to align the I-column relative to the horizontal beams so that the larger toppling forces are opposed by portions of the l-column having the greatest resistance.

Conventional joints or connections between an l-column and a horizontal beam require angle legs or angle seats as connecting members bolted or welded to the I-column and horizontal beams.

Typically, in making the joint, a connecting member is bolted or welded to the end of a horizontal beam which is then shim-fitted against the I-column, followed by welding or bolting the connecting member to the I-column.

Such connecting members become part of the load-bearing material in the joint and tend to induce distorting forces in the I-column.

Accordingly, this invention provides an improved structural connection between a supporting column and a horizontal beam which eliminates the need of connecting members, such as angle legs and seats.

It is also in accordance with this invention to provide an improved supporting column which has a uniform resistance to external horizontal or toppling forces.

There is further provided in accordance with this invention an improved structural connection which prevents distorting or toppling forces from being transferred into the supporting column.

It is additionally in accordance with this invention to provide a method of making a structural connection which greatly reduces construction costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a unitary structural support having a body portion, four equally spaced webs extending radially from the body portion to form an X-shaped cross-section, and a bead at the outer edge of each web. The width of the bead is greater than the web width, but no portion of the crosssection of the bead extends into an area defined by lines passing through the weband-bead junctions of two adjacent webs, which lines are parallel to lines intersecting at the intersection of the crosssection axes of the webs and angularly displaced 45' therefrom, the intersection being within the support.

In accordance with a second aspect of this invention, a structural connection is provided including a first structural member having a body portion and four equally spaced webs extending radially from the body portion, a second structural member having an end shaped to conform to the intersecting surfaces of two adjacent webs of the first member. The second member is disposed relative to the first member such that the shaped end mates with the intersecting surfaces of the adjacent webs of the first member, the shaped end being welded to the first member to form a rigid connection between the first and second member.

In accordance with a third aspect of this invention, a method is provided for making a structural connection comprising: fabricating a first structural member having a body portion and four equally spaced webs extending radially from the body portion, securing a shelf at right angles to the intersecting surfaces of two adjacent webs of the first member, fabricating a second member having one end shaped in accordance with the intersecting web surfaces, erecting the first member in a vertical position, positioning the second member relative to the first member such that the shaped end is supported by the shelf and in mating contact with the intersecting web surfaces, and welding the shaped end to the intersecting web surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the above-recited features, advantages, and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional I-structural member.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of toppling forces exerted on I-members used as vertical columns.

FIG. 3 is a top view partially in section of a conventional structural connection of a vertical l-column and horizontal I- beams.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the connection of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a portion of a structural member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the structural member of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the structural member of FIG. 5 during the rolling stage of manufacture.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the structural member of FIG. 5 in greater detail.

FIG. 9 is a top view partially in section of a structural connection according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view partially in section of the structural connection of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view partially in section of a structural connection according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the beam used in the connection of FIG. 1 l.

FIG. 13 is a top view partially in section of the connection of the invention of four horizontal beams.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a crosssection is shown of a typical I-structural member 15 consisting of web 17 and flanges 19. Such an I-member is commonly used as a supporting column in a building.

In viewing such a cross-section, it is useful to calculate the radius of gyration with respect to axes X and Y of a coordinate system having its origin at the geometric center, 0, of the cross-sectional area.

Generally, the radius of gyration expresses a relation of the area or mass of a figure or body to its moment of inertia. For example, the radius of gyration with respect to the X-axis of the I-beam cross-section is defined as:

k I/A where K= the radius of gyration in length units, I= the moment of inertia about the X-axis, and A= the cross-sectional area.

The ability of a member to withstand certain forces is, among other things, a function of its radius of gyration.

Because the radius of gyration about the X-axis is difierent from that about the Y-axis for an I-member, the ability of the member to resist toppling forces depends on the orientation of the l-member relative to such external forces.

For example, when an I-member is used as vertical supporting column 21, as shown in FIG. 2, it must be aligned so that the web 23 is aligned with or parallel to the greater toppling forces, f, rather than the smaller toppling forces, j, the column being more resistant to forces parallel to web 23 than forces parallel to flanges 25.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional structural connection using an I-member 27 as a vertical supporting column and I-beams 29, 31, and 33 as horizontal members connected thereto. Angle legs 37 and 39 serve as connecting members between web 35 of l-beam 31 and web 28 of l-column 27, and are secured thereto by bolts, indicated generally at 41. In a like manner, I- beams 29 and 33 are secured to l-column 27.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the I-beam with angle legs 37 and 39 attached to web 35.

During erection of the connection, typically the I-beams are loosely secured to the I-column by bolts 41 followed by shimfitting the angle legs to the I-column, tightening the bolts, and welding the angle legs to the l-column and I-beams. Such a technique is expensive both in materials and labor.

Also, angle legs 37 and 39 are part of the load-bearing material in the connection which tends to transmit distorting forces into l-column 27.

Further, when horizontal members are connected in opposing relationship to an I-column, such as I-beams 29 and 33, the toppling forces transmitted by each I-beam are not throughconnected in a straight line, thus inducing undesirable distorting torque in I-column 27.

Another disadvantage of using I-columns, is that they render inconvenient a connection wherein the beams themselves are fitted in contact with the I-column, so that little or no part of the beams can be conveniently welded directly to the l-column, which otherwise would reduce distorting forces on the I-column.

FIG. shows a unitary structural member or support 44 according to one embodiment of the present invention having a body portion 45 and four equally spaced webs 47, 49, 51, and 53 extending radially therefrom, and beads 55, 57, 59, and 61 at the outer edge of each web, respectively.

In viewing a cross-section of structural support 44, shown in FIG. 6, it has been found that the radius of gyration about the longitudinal axis, which is coincident with the center of body portion 45, is the same in any direction in the cross-sectional plane; thus support 44 has uniformity of strength in any direction in the cross-sectional plane.

Therefore, when support 44 is used as a vertical column, it has a uniform resistance to any toppling forces applied thereto. Accordingly, support 44 can be oriented relative any horizontal beams to be connected thereto without regard to the direction of the greater toppling forces or which horizontal beams will transmit the greater toppling forces.

It is known that the most economical utilization of building materials, is one in which the vertical columns and horizontal beams connected thereto form a square. The toppling forces generated in loaded horizontal beams of such a square configuration are usually such that each beam transmits a toppling force of equal magnitude into the supporting column.

Support 44 admits ideally as the vertical column in a square configuration because of its uniform resistance in all directions to toppling forces.

The bead at the outer edge of each web has a greater width than the web width, thereby increasing the stiffness of support 44 without materially increasing the weight.

The beads in cross-section are square or near-square so that support 44 admits to easy manufacture in a rolling mill, shown in FIG. 7. The flat-outside of square beads 57 and 59, for example, are easily rolled on flat-sided roller 56.

FIG. 8 shows the cross-sectional dimension of the beads of support 44 in greater detail.

In viewing any two adjacent webs and a bead associated with one of such adjacent webs, for example, webs 47 and 53 and bead 55, such webs have cross-section axes 48 and 54, respectively, which intersect at 50 within support 44. A line 52 bisecting the angle defined by axes 48 and 54 has a common intersection 50 with axes 48 and 54. Line 52 forms a 45 angle with axes 48 and 54, respectively, while intersection 50 lies within body portion 45.

No portion of the cross-section of bead 55 extends toward adjacent webs 53 within an area defined by bisecting line 52 and line 58 which is parallel to bisecting line 52 and which passes through junction 60 of bead 55 and web 47.

The dimensional description above for the cross-section of bead 55 applies also to bead 61 in conjunction with adjacent webs 47 and 53, and to the remaining beads of support 44 in conjunction with their respective adjacent webs.

Note that the cross-section of bead 55 is symmetric about line 62, which line is colinear with cross-section axis 48 and extending through the cross-section of bead 55.

All the beads of support 44 have the same such symmetry relative to their associated webs and all the beads have the same cross-sectional dimensions, thereby insuring that support 44 maintains uniformity of strength in all directions in the cross-sectional plane about the center of body 45.

FIG. 9 shows a structural connection according to one embodiment of the invention including a first structural member or support 44 and a second structural member, such as an I- beam 63 comprising flanges 66 and web 67 (shown in dotted lines).

One end of l-beam 63 is V-shaped in accordance with the angle fonned between the intersecting surfaces 64 and 65 of adjacent webs 53 and 47, respectively.

I-beam 63 is disposed relative support 44 such that the V- shaped end mates with intersecting surfaces 64 and 65, the end of I-beam web 67 at the V-shaped end mating with the intersection of surfaces 64 and 65.

The V-shaped end is welded to support 44 to form a rigid connection between support 44 and I-beam 63.

It has been found that when the cross-section of the beads of support 44 are the dimensions as described previously, such beads do not reduce the effective mating surface of intersecting surfaces 64 and 65 with the Vshaped end of l-beam 63. In other words, the width of I-beam 63 can be as great as the distance between the extreme outer ends of surfaces 64 and 65.

The connection also includes a shelf 68, as shown in a bottom view of the connection in FIG. 10, having one end V- shaped according to the angle formed between intersecting web surfaces 64 and 65. Shelf 68 is in supporting contact with the bottom flange 66 of the V-shaped end of l-beam 63 and at right angles to surfaces 64 and 65 of support 44, and suitably secured to support 44, such as by welding the shelf to surfaces 64 and 65.

In the actual construction of the connection, shelf68 can be conveniently tack-welded to support 44 at a mill or shop, rather than at a construction site.

At the construction site, support 44 is erected in a vertical position. I-bearn 63 is then positioned horizontally relative support 44 such that the V-shaped end of beam 63 is supported by shelf 68 and is in mating contact with web surfaces 64 and 65.

Shelf 68 provides sufficient support and stability for beam 63 while it is permanently welded to support 44, no bolts or rivets being required.

After beam 63 is welded to support 44, the tack-welded platform can be removed and the bottom of beam 63 welded to support 44; or beam 63 can be shimmed a short distance above shelf 68 prior to the commencement of welding beam 63 to support 44, thereby to provide space between beam 63 and shelf 68, for welding bottom flange 66 of beam 63 to support 44; or the shelf itself can be fully welded to beam 63 and support 44.

FIG, 11 shows a structural connection according to a second embodiment of the invention. The connection is as described above, except that instead of shelf 68, shown in FIG. 10, the connection includes a shelf 71 having two opposing sides defining an angle equal to the angle formed between intersecting web surfaces 64 and 65, and a truncated end 7 nearest the intersection of web surfaces 64 and 65 Shelf 71 is in supporting contact with bottom flange 66 of the V-shaped end of I-bearn 63, and the opposing sides are welded to surfaces 64 and 65.

A rigid bar or plate 75, shown also in FIG. 12, is secured to the bottom flange 66 of I-beam 63 proximate the V-shaped end of the beam, thereby forming a ridge-like discontinuity across a portion of the width of the surface of flange 66, the plate being in mating contact with truncated end 73.

In making the connection, shelf 71 can be tack-welded to support 44 and plate 75 to l-beam 63 at some convenient location removed from a construction site, such as a mill or shop.

At the construction site, support 44 is erected in a vertical position and l-beam 63 is positioned relative to support 44 such that the V-shaped end of beam 63 is supported by shelf 71 and in mating contact with intersecting web surfaces 64 and 65, and plate 75 is in mating contact with truncated end 73 of shelf71.

Beam 63 is then removably secured to shelf71, for example, by applying C-clamps across shelf 71 and flange 66.

Plate 75 prevents beam 63 from sliding or slipping back away from its mated position with support 44, while C-clamps prevent the beam and hence plate 75 from raising up to break securing contact with truncated end 73.

The V-shaped end of beam 63 is then permanently welded to intersecting web surfaces 64 and 65.

The C-clamps are removed, and shelf 71 can either be removed or welded to beam 63 and support 44 as described above.

The structural connection, as described in the various embodiments, tends to eliminate distorting forces from being transmitted from I-beam 63 into support 44 since, instead of load-bearing connecting members between the beam and support, such as angle legs, angle platforms, bolts, and rivets, beam 63 itself is welded directly to support 44.

The connection of this invention, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, tends to eliminate distorting toppling forces from being transferred into the vertical support.

Vertical column support 77 forms a connection as described above with four oppositely located horizontal I- beams, 79 and 80, and 81 and 82 respectively.

All of the distorting toppling forces in beam 79 and 81 assume a straight-through transfer to each other, while all such forces in beam 82 and 80 assume a straight-through transfer to each other, eliminating any toppling or distorting forces from being introduced into column 77.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made and will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A structural connection, comprising:

a first structural member having a body portion and four equally spaced webs extending radially from such body portion, each of said webs having a bead at the outer edge thereof;

a second structural member having an end shaped in accordance with the angle formed between the intersecting surfaces of two adjacent webs of said first member;

said second member disposed relative said first member such that said shaped end mates with said intersecting surfaces of said adjacent webs;

said shaped end being connected to said first member to form a rigid connection between said first and second structural members;

the cross-sectional dimensions of each bead being such that said bead does not reduce the effective mating surface of said intersecting ad acent web surfaces with said shape end of said second member.

2. A structural connection according to claim 1, wherein:

said second member is I-shaped in cross-section;

said second member being disposed relative said first member such that the end of the web at said shaped end of said second member mates with the intersection of said surfaces of said adjacent webs of said first member.

3. A structural connection according to claim 1 including:

a shelf having one end shaped according to said angle formed between said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member;

said shelf being welded to said intersecting adjacent web surfaces; and

said shelf being in supporting contact with said shaped end of said second member.

4. A structural connection according to claim 1 including,

a shelf having two opposing sides defining an angle equal to the angle formed between said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member and welded thereto,

said shelf being in supporting contact with said shaped end;

and

means secured to said second member proximate said shaped end forming a ridge-like discontinuity across at least a portion of the width of the surface of said second member between the end of said shelf nearest the intersection of said adjacent web surfaces of said first member and said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member.

5. A structural connection according to claim 4, wherein said means secured to said second member is in mating contact with the end of said shelf nearest the intersection of said adjacent web surfaces of said first member. 

1. A structural connection, comprising: a first structural membeR having a body portion and four equally spaced webs extending radially from such body portion, each of said webs having a bead at the outer edge thereof; a second structural member having an end shaped in accordance with the angle formed between the intersecting surfaces of two adjacent webs of said first member; said second member disposed relative said first member such that said shaped end mates with said intersecting surfaces of said adjacent webs; said shaped end being connected to said first member to form a rigid connection between said first and second structural members; the cross-sectional dimensions of each bead being such that said bead does not reduce the effective mating surface of said intersecting adjacent web surfaces with said shaped end of said second member.
 2. A structural connection according to claim 1, wherein: said second member is I-shaped in cross-section; said second member being disposed relative said first member such that the end of the web at said shaped end of said second member mates with the intersection of said surfaces of said adjacent webs of said first member.
 3. A structural connection according to claim 1 including: a shelf having one end shaped according to said angle formed between said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member; said shelf being welded to said intersecting adjacent web surfaces; and said shelf being in supporting contact with said shaped end of said second member.
 4. A structural connection according to claim 1 including, a shelf having two opposing sides defining an angle equal to the angle formed between said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member and welded thereto, said shelf being in supporting contact with said shaped end; and means secured to said second member proximate said shaped end forming a ridge-like discontinuity across at least a portion of the width of the surface of said second member between the end of said shelf nearest the intersection of said adjacent web surfaces of said first member and said intersecting adjacent web surfaces of said first member.
 5. A structural connection according to claim 4, wherein said means secured to said second member is in mating contact with the end of said shelf nearest the intersection of said adjacent web surfaces of said first member. 